Talking To Non-Believers In An Informal Setting?

by Stargater 2 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Stargater
    Stargater

    You're a dedicated member of the Society and you've got a fist full of literature in your desk dawer at work. In the break room you see someone reading a religious book or pamphlet. You strike up a conversation with the person and the person shows interest. You get some material and give it to the person, but the person begins telling you about their church or their beliefs.

    What do you do??

    Do you pretend to listen intently or do you find some way of shutting the person down?

    I ask this not because I met anyone at work, but because when I had a couple of guys into my home, they just looked through me when I said anything, religious or non-religious. It's like they wanted to get back to the script. But at work, it's different. It's more relaxed, more spontaneous. So what's the course they would take? You're probably not encouraged to have open discussions with people who have other viewpoints, but surely the missionaries (or Pioneers, whatever) are in a better position to control the conversation. But in a more open setting, the person is likely to say, "That's interesting. I've always thought of the Trinity as being...." In other words, you can't read them the next inane question and insist they answer it or else!

    If you are a J.W., did you ever show any interest in other religions? What if you wanted to read the Book of Mormon or the Westminister Confessions? What if you wanted to take a college course in comparitive religions? (When I worked for the Navy years ago, I even got hit up by a Muslim, who gave me a very nice bound copy of the Qur'an, which I still have. We had many conversations during which we freely exchanged ideas...and he was a former Christian.)

    What are the standard directives?

  • penny2
    penny2

    Hi Stargater, welcome to JWN. Most JWs I've met are quite normal at work. They probably wouldn't have any literature in their desk drawer (I certainly never did).

    They would be quite likely to listen to the viewpoint of their workmates and not say much themselves. When out in the formal door to door work, it's very structured and JWs feel much more comfortable talking about their beliefs in that setting.

    When I was a JW, I was only interested in other religions from the viewpoint of proving their teachings wrong. I only ever read material produced by the JWs. There's so much of it constantly being printed, you wouldn't have time to read anything else.

    I did sometimes listen to radio programs hosted by religious groups while driving home from work. Or watch preachers on TV. I always thought how fanatical they sounded compared to the JWs.

    I don't know if there are any formal directives about reading publications from other religions.

    penny

  • Stargater
    Stargater

    Thanks. I never thought any member would lose the opportunity to gain a potential convert. I've had some J.W.s come over from time to time just scouting out the neighborhood, but they never try to set up an appointment or do anything other than leave literature. Has something changed in the way they approach people or are the new people just lazy?

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